Thank you! I was trying to figure out which toe separators to buy and checked RU-vid hoping someone would have a video exactly like this one! Very helpful.
I started wearing toe spacers because I wanted to improve my stance while working out at home. At first I got a Correct Toes knockoff, basically the same shape and fit, but I found it frustrating that they didn't stay in place while exercising. So glad I didn't spend on the actual brand. The next ones I tried were the generic type that I got off of Amazon. These worked perfectly and exactly the way I wanted them. They stayed in place and you can get the thick rubber separators down to the base of the toes which I liked. I got the blue ones which got worn out after some months from wear and tear, I recently got the black ones and the material feels stronger. I think the opaque material of the black, and probably the white ones, makes a difference compared to the translucent blue and pink ones. Just something to consider for anyone thinking of getting a pair of the generic type.
I had a bunion begin to develop on my left foot as a result of playing tennis with osteoarthritis on my right knee (counter effect, if you will). I saw a podiatrist and she prescribed orthotics for my existing (narrow) shoes. After some of my own research I discovered barefoot shoes, and toes spacers, and now wear Correct Toes almost every day, either barefoot, in sandals, or inside barefoot shoes. She thought I was nuts, and said I'd be back with foot issues later. Needless to say, I am not a patient of hers anymore and I have tossed all my old shoes. I have seen gradual improvement in foot flexibility and mobility over the past 1.5 years. Btw I fully endorse Correct Toes, as they are the best brand that fits inside shoes, and I wear them 75% of the time inside my shoes. Great solution!!
Thank you Dr. Whitten. I have a problem with one of my toes being squashed and in pain. My podiatrist did not mention these. I love your videos and your thorough descriptions and explanations.
I have one pair of the generic separators. I love them, but I found that the band that surrounded my big toes and pinkies cut off the circulation and pull those toes in while I wore them. And my toes are thin and long. My solution was to cut through the elastic bands on the big toes and pinkies. They still stay in place when I walk around in them, and there's no circulation problems. I'm probably going to end up purchasing a few more pairs to have on hand for the future!!😊
My mom has a condition which I think is osteoarthritis in her hands where some of the finger joints are starting to bend sideways so her hands are becoming a bit "knarly." I believe it is also manifesting in her toes because I noticed some of them are starting to try to cross. I've been wondering if a toe separator would help or if that would do something to aggravate the condition at all. She definitely has shoe-shaped feet, but I know the toe crossing is coming from some other chronic condition. She claims taking Glucosamine has helped her fingers a lot, but she also likes to physically try to bend her finger joints to be more straight and thinks doing this frequently enough helps them to straighten slightly. (She wants to be able to continue playing clarinet.) I don't think she's paying much attention to her feet/toes.
Thanks! This is really helpful. Painful bilateral hallux rigidus here from dancing my whole life (and wore pointe shoes at a too-early age). Tried Correct Toes but just couldn’t get comfortable in them, even in wide toe box shoes… way too pinchy! (And not comfortable for my budget either!) Looking forward to trying the ones you recommend, starting with the cheapies! Thanks again for all your great info. 😊
I appreciate this information. I use the toe spacers between the big toe & 2nd toe only. I have some nerve pain in the ball of one foot. Could toe spacers help? thank much for these videos. They help in so many ways.
I'm happy to hear the videos are helpful for you, Deborah! Unfortunately, without an examination I cannot say whether toe spacers would be helpful or appropriate for your nerve pain. However, when treating people with Morton's neuroma I often incorporate toe spacers into the treatment plan.
I inherited bunions even though I always wore good shoes (it is possible) and wearing toe separators is tortuous for the other bones in my feet. So I avoid heels, wear boring but comfortable shoes, and I manage.
I just wanted to point out that Amazon now has a thing where you can use an FSA or HSA to pay for certain eligible items and the Awesome Toes and Yoga Toes products are eligible. If you have an FSA or HSA, you are saving at least a little money and sometimes these accounts are "use it or lose it" so use it if you are planning to get one of those items! (Before this video went live, I actually used my HSA card to purchase Correct Toes on their website with the idea that if similar products on amazon are eligible, I can make a case if it is questioned. It will be delivered tomorrow, so I'll see how it goes in practice.)
Hi, and thank you for this video. I am not sure how long I am working toward wearing these each day. Is the goal to wear them during a walk and then remove them, or to wear them all of the time? Thank you!
Yes, I will almost always use toe separators when treating a Morton's neuroma. But it's also important to switch to shoes that provide enough room for the toes & forefoot to spread out & assume their normal shape.
First I cut off the ever growing corn between the smallest toe before fitting these separators 😆 Why are shoes always the culprit ?! Why they cannot shape the shoe to the foot? Those shoe manufacturers also notice how the front of the foot differs from the rear part ! Why they always make smaller front shoes?
It's a very good question, Christian. I asked the CEO of a big shoe company that same question and his response was very interesting. Here's the link: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-MOv-ysyOWh8.html
Great but youd need wider shoes while wearing these do you have recommendation for shoes with wide toe box theyre really hard to find. Maybe do a video.
Yes, I really like Xero Shoes -xeroshoes.com/go/PainFixProtocol I have a few videos on this topic. This one is a good place to start - ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-MOv-ysyOWh8.html
Where does one buy "generic " foot spacers? I went on Amazon and there were a lot of toe spacers, but I couldn't find any that looked like what you showed us. Years ago I bought Awsome Feet and I couldn't get either size over my toes, not because they were too small but because my toes were too rigid. How can you tell if the no-name toe spacers are "soft" and pliable?
I am considering buying toe spacers, but I don't know if I should buy a 4 or 5 loop toe spacer. Is there much of a difference? Is one better than the other?
They both work. It's mostly just personal preference. In this video I review several different styles: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-37kWtqOxfVA.html
Thank you for the interesting video. I've been wearing the generic toe spacer for 3 weeks now and the process og adapting is going generally very well but not for may right little finger. As a result of wearing shoes, it seems to have gained a posture whcih is slightly rotating towards the other fingers, so even whe I wear the spacer that little finger is not straight and I think that's the reason why it's sore. What can I do?
Thank you so much for getting back to me so quickly apperciate it. I was wonderingb if you could please tell me about a good shoe brand with wide toe box with some arch support I checked many stores but they are not very helpful :(
The presentation of bunions can vary significantly from one individual to the next and without an examination I cannot say how long it would take in your case. But, yes - toe spacers are very effective and I often use them as a part of a complete foot rehabilitation program.
Thanks for sharing! I disagree that "nothing corrects a bunion". This randomized clinical trial demonstrated that using toe separators in combination with foot strengthening reduced hallux valgus angulation in as little as 3 months. This was confirmed using x-ray. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29683337/
Thanks for asking. The gaps between the toes are created with spacers, the loops job is to keep them in the right place. I suppose you could cut the loops off - it would just make them secure on the foot.
